The Glenstal community – monks, students, colleagues and guests – gathered in the Abbey Church to celebrate a Mass of the Holy Spirit for the start of the academic year 2023/24 on Wednesday 6th September.
Invoking the gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit as the new school year began, Abbot Brendan Coffey reflected on the healing words of Jesus to the mother-in-law of Peter and reminded those gathered to ‘look to the example of Jesus. Be prepared to use words carefully and well. Use them for building up, for healing… the possibility of giving the gift of the right word, a healing word, lies within the power of each one of us.’
In addition to looking forward to the coming year, the Mass was also an opportunity to look back and to give thanks to God for the previous year: for our academic, sporting, extra-curricular and personal achievements.
We are particularly proud of our 2023 Leaving Certificate class, who together achieved an average point score of 517. An amazing 19% of the class achieved over 600 points, whilst 10% achieved full marks of 625 points. One student achieved a straight run of eight Higher 1’s.
We heartily celebrate the hard-work and dedication of our students and colleagues in the school and we give God thanks for these spectacular achievements.
As another school year gets underway once again at Glenstal, we pray that these coming months in this ‘School of the Lord’s Service’ may be fruitful for all.